#I've broken my vows to reconcile | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

saellefanwork · 11 months ago

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𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕋𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕋𝕚𝕞𝕖

Reminder: This Demon Slayer fic is rated Mature (adults only) for canon-typical violence and eventual suggestive or explicit sexual content

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Chapter 17: One should always listen to their heart

Following their recent confrontation, Kanoko tries her best to avoid Kyojuro. However, she soon discovers that underestimating the Flame Hashira's determination is a grave mistake.

Author's note: This is the concluding chapter of the "Eternal Paradise Cult" Arc! We have reached the 100+ kudos on AO3 :3! Thanks a lot!!! What's best to celebrate than a new chapter :P? And not any chapter... THE chapter.

NSFW warning: this chapter contains (long awaited?) very explicit and mature content (smut). I'm a bit ashamed of how steamy it turned out. Proceed with discretion... and enjoy ;)!

(The onsen scene was inspired by "To Be the First" by EosWisteria on AO3, check it out ;P)

You skillfully evaded Kyojuro's attempts to engage with you the next day, ignoring messages from his crow and shrugging off his loud calls whenever he spotted you. Being both an experienced demon hunter and a demon had its advantages: you were hard to ensnare if you didn't want to be caught.

Far from being a novice in tracking himself, Kyojuro might have managed to corner you if he wasn't constantly busy with the Kakushi and reinforcements. The fact that the Flame Pillar was victim of his renown provided you with an opportunity to meet with the less popular Water Pillar. It seemed necessary to clarify the situation between the both of you so as not to hurt him further in the future.

Sitting in seiza, you bowed deeply before him, your forehead touching the ground.

"I've come to apologize for my conduct during our last evening together, Giyuu. I shouldn't have attempted to kiss you. You're a dear friend, and neither my loneliness nor my inebriation justifies taking advantage of our bond and your feelings for me. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

Giyuu received your apology with a mildly surprised expression, as if he expected that the memory of that evening would remain unspoken.

"Don't worry; I already knew I could never replace Rengoku in your heart," he replied without a trace of resentment. "I was just holding on to hope... that you might try."

His response tightened your chest, and you pressed your lips together. This man deserved more than to be a mere balm for your broken heart. He deserved to find someone who would love him wholeheartedly. You knew that he struggled with imposter syndrome when it came to his role as a Demon Slayer and Hashira, despite being undoubtedly one of the Kisatsutai's most formidable members. You didn't want to perpetuate the sense of worthlessness he imposed upon himself.

"Giyuu... You are an extraordinary person, worthy of admiration and love," you assured him, still bowing. "If my heart hadn't already belonged to another when we first met, I would have hoped that someone like you might be interested in me someday. But fate had different plans. If anything were to bloom between us, it should be because my feelings have genuinely changed. Only under this condition would I be deserving of your affections."

The Water Pillar remained silent for a few moments. Eventually, he gently placed a hand on your shoulder. When you lifted your head, you could see serenity in his soft gaze. Despite the gravity of your words, they appeared to have touched him.

"There's no need for such a formal gesture, Kanoko. I'm not as admirable as you might think, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Our mission is complete. Tomorrow, I'll be heading to the Butterfly Manor with the Kakushi. Take this opportunity to reconcile with Rengoku."

You weren't entirely satisfied with his response. You believed you deserved his anger, but nothing seemed to unsettle the Water Pillar, true to his element. You decided to accept the kindness and wisdom he exhibited and internally vowed to become a friend deserving of such a man.

With one exception: you fully intended to ignore his advice and continue avoiding Kyojuro.

As announced, Giyuu left the next day with the Kakushi, not without giving you a bottle of his blood, and you regretted missing the opportunity to leave with them. However, Kyojuro had made sure to secure your transportation box with him. If you were not forbidden from traveling without the supervision of a Hashira, you might have returned without him by nightfall. But now, you were condemned to journey back with your childhood friend, whether you liked it or not.

With your mission now behind you, both of you could now leave the chaya at any time. Temporarily putting aside your anxiety over your impending confrontation with Kyojuro, you decided to indulge in the establishment's baths one last time.

As you submerged into the warm waters, a sigh of comfort escaped your lips. After a prolonged period of relaxation, the sliding of a door disrupted your peace, causing you to sit up with an irritated click of your tongue. You had been explicit with the Wisteria chaya's owner about your desire for solitude and had agreed to bathe in the middle of the night precisely to be alone. It wasn't that you were particularly self-conscious about your physique, but you preferred minimizing your interactions with humans for safety reasons. Turning your gaze irritably towards the entrance, you were ready to reprimand the intruder who had blatantly disregarded the sign on the door. To your astonishment, you realized that it wasn't a maiko or a geisha worker who had barged in, but the Flame Pillar himself. Hastily submerging further into the bath to conceal your nudity, you let out a muffled gasp, your thoughts racing.

Kyojuro was clad in nothing but the short towel wrapped around his waist, unabashedly displaying his well-defined physique. Fresh from his own cleansing, water droplets cascaded from his tousled, damp hair. A few unruly strands clung to his face and strong shoulders. You attempted to ignore the effect his appearance had on you.

As you prepared to announce your presence and ask him to leave, your gazes unexpectedly locked. He didn't appear the least bit surprised to find you there. It became immediately evident that he had entered fully aware that you were in there. He had trapped you.

You slowly maneuvered to the opposite end of the bath, attempting to create some distance between you and Kyojuro. He casually discarded his towel and leisurely stepped into the warm water. You tightly shut your eyes and turned your head, avoiding staring at his nudity, even though the steam mostly obscured your field of vision.

Your reaction seemed to amuse him, and when you finally dared to open your eyes again, you were greeted by his first genuine, radiant smile since your transformation.

"I had requested to have the baths all to myself," you lamented, still trying your best to avert your gaze.

"Hmm! Next time you invoke your Slayer status for personal use, make sure there's no one with a higher rank to countermand your orders!" he playfully retorted in his strong, resonant voice.

Damn the hierarchy of the Corps, relegating you to a lower rank despite your capabilities that matched a Hashira's level. How could the bathhouse owner had permitted a man to enter a women's bath, even if he was your superior? Maybe that was the result of Kyojuro's innate charm and the trust he inspired in others, both as a person and as a Pillar. He must have convinced her that he was your husband or something of the sort.

"I... I should probably get out," you mumbled. "I'm beginning to feel a bit dizzy anyway. Enjoy your bath."

You feigned to move out but stopped abruptly as a realization washed over you: Kyojuro was leaning on the exit side. If you intended to leave, you'd need to pull yourself out of the water near him. Unfortunately, your towel lay too far from the edge for you to conceal anything about your nudity.

Kyojuro's smile widened as he observed you piecing together the predicament you were now trapped in. His eye sparkled with mischievousness. In different circumstances, you would have been delighted to witness the joviality of your old friend again. However, at this moment, you felt nothing but mortification.

"Let's have a little chat!" Kyojuro suggested. "I'm sure you can endure the dizziness. You're rather resilient, after all."

"Huh…"

You hesitated for a moment, trying to find an excuse to avoid this discussion. You weren't actually feeling dizzy, at least not from the steam. You concentrated on not letting your gaze linger on his well-defined shoulders and muscular arms, folded confidently against his imposing chest.

"What do you want to talk about…?" you finally cautiously inquired.

"You should stop avoiding me," he chided, regaining a more serious tone. "You're not supposed to be alone, it's unsafe."

"For me or for others?" you countered bitterly.

"Both," he replied without hesitation, and his directness stung. "But I'm more concerned about you right now. You've been in some tough battles lately, even resorting to using your Blood Demon Art at least once, when you're supposed to avoid it as much as possible. There is no telling when you'll use it for the last time, or what long-term consequences this power might have on your health. We should make a detour to the Butterfly Estate on our way back to ensure everything is alright."

"I can take care of myself just fine, thank you," you retorted, irritation seeping into your tone.

Gods, you decided that the embarrassment of your nakedness was a small price to pay after all. You had faced far worse, hadn't you? With a determined resolve, you inched closer to his side, fully intending to exit regardless of the consequences. You still hoped that, in the final moments, Kyojuro would avert his gaze to preserve your modesty, but he continued to stare at you with intense scrutiny, his arms still resolutely crossed. Damn it. Well, you steeled yourself mentally to pull yourself out of the water nonetheless, when he unexpectedly spoke up again:

"How are things between you and Tomioka? He wouldn't share anything about your relationship before he left."

Despite Kyojuro's neutral expression as he broached the subject, his voice carried undertones of apprehension and a trace of sadness.

"It's because there's nothing to say," you replied sourly "The situation between him and me hasn't changed."

"Are you in love with him?"

You were surprised by the gentleness of his voice, contrasting with the heavy emotion behind his words. You risked a brief glance at him. Unlike the previous encounter in the corridor, you now saw a hint of resignation in his worried gaze.

"...I don't think so," you answered honestly, your tone less confrontational. "I went to apologize for my behavior during our last evening together. He's a dear friend and I believe he'd make a good match but... unfortunately, the place in my heart is still taken."

A long, contemplative silence followed your admission, and you regretted your honesty. You didn't want to be rejected or ignored once more. A lump formed in your throat, and you summoned the will to attempt leaving once again. But just as you were about to move, Kyojuro shifted closer to you. You hesitated, caught between the desire to escape quickly, even if it meant sacrificing your modesty, and your curiosity about his reaction. In your hesitation, you missed your last opportunity to escape.

The Hashira was blocking you now, his arms on either side of you, gripping the edge of the basin. You found yourself trapped between his imposing presence and the hard stone wall. Heat rushed to your cheeks as you couldn't ignore the fact that both of you were naked underwater, in an embarrassingly close proximity. Why didn't this seem to faze Kyojuro? Had he successfully banished any desire you supposed he once held for you? Somehow, you felt envious.

In a futile attempt to put some distance between you, you pressed yourself against the edge of the basin. However, this only resulted in you losing even more space. Kyojuro moved his chest and face closer to yours, and you summoned all your willpower to keep your eyes open. Your breathing was quick and uneven as you struggled to make sense of the situation you were in.

"This mission has taken its toll on me," the Hashira confessed. "Not being able to prevent those Cult's perverts from leering at you, let alone the chaya customers when you were dressed as a maiko... Seeing you grow closer to Tomioka... And, most agonizingly, not being able to protect you adequately in combat..."

"Why do you care anyway?" you inquired dryly.

You expected him to evade the question, as he often had these past months. However, this time was different. He gently placed a hand on your cheek, and you felt your resentment melt instantly beneath the warmth of his touch. Internally, you cursed your own weakness for him. Your chest constricted with anticipation.

"Because you mean everything to me, Kanoko. That's why I defied my duty as the eldest son of the Rengokus and as a Pillar. That's why I listened to Kamado and risked my life for you in front of the Master and my peers. I understand that this might not be sufficient in your eyes, and I acknowledge that things have been strained between us these past five months. My guiding principle is to live proudly and die without regrets. However, during this mission, I came to realize that if either of us were to meet our end now, I would forever blame myself for allowing our relationship to deteriorate like this."

His thumb tenderly caressed your cheek, and your heart fluttered.

"In my anger and despair about your transformation, I forgot that you weren't mine and that I couldn't demand that you wait for me indefinitely," he admitted. "You're right, Kanoko. Even in your current state, you have the right to happiness. You've earned it, after everything you've sacrificed to save me and your relentless efforts to prove your worth to the Corps. I'm sorry for making you feel lonely. I hope you'll consider exploring what you seek with me, during the time we have left together. The thought of you becoming Tomioka's or anyone else's beloved one pains me, but if you no longer wish to consider me as a suitor, I will respect your choice. I promise to behave in a more proper way than I did last time towards you and the one your heart chose."

He appeared genuinely sincere and at peace with himself after pouring his heart out. You could have pushed him away, but you no longer desired to leave.

"Does that mean... if I become human again... our relationship will continue from where it left off before the Mugen Train incident?" you asked timidly, not daring to hope for more.

His thumb, which had been caressing your cheek, slid down to your lips, softly brushing them with his rough skin. You had to muster all your willpower not to part your lips and grant him entry.

Without answering, Kyojuro leaned in gently. You had time to protest, but you did nothing, caught between hope and disbelief. Before you could formulate a coherent thought, his lips met yours, much like they did seven months ago beneath the cherry blossoms in your village. The emotions and memories of that day resurfaced, and tears welled up in your eyes uncontrollably. You clung to him desperately, silently praying that this was not a dream. You had never expected to kiss him again.

As he pulled his face back slightly, your childhood friend softly wiped away your tears with his fingers, gazing at you with tenderness and a wistful smile on his lips, realizing just how profoundly these events had affected you.

"I love you, Kanoko. Wether you’re human or a demon, I can't help it, and I won't try to anymore, since you're still the person I fell in love with seven years ago."

"Kyojuro..."

Hearing his words and witnessing the way he looked at you now, especially after all the effort he had exerted to keep his distance, only made your tears flow more freely. He consoled you for a long while, whispering soothing words to calm you down. Then, leaning in once more, he delicately traced your cheeks with his tongue, gently tasting your tears.

"Umai," he murmured in your ear.

The unexpected sensation of his warm tongue caressing your skin in such a tender manner startled you and helped quiet your sobs. It also ignited something new within you. Kyojuro gently nuzzled his nose against your cheek, his eyes closed, before his lips returned to yours.

This kiss lingered longer than the previous ones, and you allowed your lips to part slightly, inviting in a breath. He seized this opportunity to slip his tongue inside, which tasted slightly salty from your tears. Your hands instinctively gripped his hair, your mind swirling. In response to your fervor, the Slayer pressed you a bit more firmly against the edge of the pool, and you could feel his imposing and firm arousal throbbing against your lower abdomen. A surprised gasp escaped your lips, but he appeared unfazed, securing his hold at the nape of your neck to deepen the passionate kiss while gently caressing your face and hair.

"Umai," he repeated, finally granting you a moment of respite, his tongue sweeping over his lips.

The gesture sent a rush of heat through you. Kyojuro stared at you intensely, studying your reaction, his bright pupils dilated with desire. You didn't exactly know what he saw in your expression, but it seemed to please him.

You had missed his sincere smile so much that, like a moth inevitably drawn to light, you couldn't help but want to touch it. Your fingers brushed against his curved lips with fascination.

"You're so handsome, Kyojuro..." you murmured without thinking.

His smile widened further, and his gaze softened. He placed light, affectionate kisses on your fingers, and then, to your surprise, he ran his tongue along them. The warm, moist contact elicited a small, strangled gasp from you. A knot formed in your lower abdomen. At the erotic tone in your voice, his arousal throbbed against you. Encouraged by your reaction, the Hashira slid one of your fingers entirely into his mouth, his warm tongue trailing along it and lightly sucking on it.

A low, passionate moan escaped your lips, your body reacting with surprising intensity to this simple yet incredibly sensuous stimulation. Your nails dug into his muscular shoulder with your free hand, and your hips moved involuntarily, grinding against Kyojuro's groin. He emitted a sound, somewhere between a moan and a growl, before finally seizing your hands and pinning them behind your head on the stone slab. This position elevated your chest out of the water, and the contrast between the warm bath and the cool night air instantly made your nipples stiffen.

Under normal circumstances, you might have felt self-conscious about being so exposed beneath your childhood's friend, but the taste of his tongue clouded your thoughts. After a lingering kiss, his lips descended with a torrid slowness to your throat, where he sucked your pulse. Then, they traced a fiery path to your collarbones, and finally to your exposed breasts.

You felt, more than you saw, your head tilting back over the edge, Kyojuro's tongue gliding over your sensitive peaks. The sensation surpassed even your most vivid fantasies. Your thighs involuntarily tightened around the his hips, and a lewd cry escaped you, which you embarrassingly tried to muffle against your arm. The Flame Hashira emitted a throaty, amused sound at your sensitivity, evidently pleased to provoke such reactions from you. He then resumed his sensual assault with renewed vigor, alternating between licking, sucking, and lightly biting your nipples, driving you wild with longing.

One of his hands released your wrists, but he maintained his grip as he started to pinch the forsaken nipple. A small, strangled cry of delight escaped your lips, the exquisite blend of pleasure and pain igniting a fire within your belly. Your hips unconsciously rocked against his pelvis, each movement a plea to quench the burning desire within you.

"Kanoko, do you want me?" he asked in a huskier voice than usual, a seductive smile gracing his lips. His breath danced across your sensitized chest as he spoke, sending delightful shivers down your spine.

As if your entire body wasn't already shouting how desperately you were craving for him...

"Hum... yes, Kyojuro... more than anything," you timidly moaned.

Your response seemed to inflame him further. He released your hands and pulled you into his strong embrace. In return, you hugged him fervently, burying your face in the crook of his neck. His masculine scent with a sweet, apricot-like undertone, enveloped you. Grasping your thighs, he lifted you so that you were seated on the edge of the bath. There, whitout taking his lips off yours, he carefully laid you against the stone slab. Only your legs remained in the water, sensuously wrapped around Kyojuro's hips, seeking to quench the fiery desire surging between your thighs. But the Flame Hashira had other plans.

"Not yet," he whispered huskily near your ear after breaking your kiss, his grip on your hips firm and possessive. "I want to take care of you first, until you can't take it anymore and beg me to have you."

You blushed furiously, speechless but incredibly aroused by his commanding tone and the passion in his eye. While you had often fantasized about Kyojuro taking control, you never imagined how powerfully it would affect you in reality.

With deliberate sensuality, Kyojuro licked the edge of your ear before gently sucking on your lobe, coaxing lustful moans from your trembling lips. He then continued his descent, kissing and exploring your body with burning passion, each touch, kiss, and bite a scorching trail of fire that ignited your senses and left you quivering with anticipation.

You could feel his hot breath descending even lower, and while modesty urged you to close your thighs, Kyojuro's strong hands firmly kept them spread apart before him. His restraint, oddly, only heightened your excitement, despite the initial embarrassment. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, you couldn't resist sneaking a quick glance at Kyojuro's reaction to the most intimate part of your anatomy. He devoured the sight of your exposed, melting core, his crimson and golden eye dilated with hunger, scrutinizing every detail mercilessly.

"You look incredibly delicious, Kanoko."

He leaned closer to you, and before you could protest or fully comprehend his intentions, the sensation of his warm tongue on your pearl left you utterly breathless.

Gods... the sensation overwhelmed your senses and your thoughts entirely. Your moans transformed into long, passionate pleas. This was unlike anything you had ever experienced before; it was far more intense than any sensation you had managed to evoke when touching yourself. Guided by your voice, Kyojuro carefully explored your folds, moving from your sensitive bud to the inside of your lower lips, savoring every inch of your delicate skin.

"Umai," he murmured once more against your core.

He gently inserted a finger into you, and you couldn't help but emit a pleasurable whimper that sent electric shivers coursing down his lower belly. He noticed the absence of any resistance. Either you had already engaged in intimate activities with someone else (which he doubted but was willing to accept, even though he hoped to be your first), or your hymen had naturally broken during your rigorous training. He recalled hearing from Mitsuri that this was one reason why female Slayers sometimes struggled to find suitable partners, as men often questioned their virginity.

The Hashira explored the depths of your inner sanctum with gentle movements, occasionally applying slight pressure against your velvety walls. As a second finger joined in, stretching your entrance further, your breath grew erratic, and your thoughts became a delightful whirlwind of incoherence.

"You're soaking wet, Kanoko...," he observed with a satisfied smile. "I'm honored that you desire me this much."

"Hm... Kyojuro..."

Words were nearly impossible to form amidst the overwhelming waves of pleasure coursing through your body. Kyojuro seemed to relish how sensually you pronounced his name. His movements slightly gained speed and intensity. His lips descended once more upon your sensitive bud, gently sucking it while his fingers continued their tantalizing dance within you, until they curved against a spot that sent electric pulses rippling through your entire body.

A cry escaped your lips as your legs and hips trembled uncontrollably. Kyojuro maintained the pressure of his free hand against your pelvis, keeping you grounded as he skillfully rode out your orgasm with his tongue and fingers. When he sensed that you were shaking with hypersensitivity, he withdrew from his oral ministrations and straightened up. One of his hands continued to caress your delicate folds, while the other held one of your thighs, keeping you spread open before him.

"Do you want more, Kanoko...?" he asked with a hoarse voice, his fingers still teasingly playing inside you.

His darkened expression made it clear that his control was hanging by a thread.

"Ha... yes, Kyojuro... please... I need you. I want to feel more of you..."

Seeing you looking at him as if he were the most important thing is the world, with your lust-clouded eyes and your flushed cheeks, was already intoxicating. Hearing you plead like this was too much. Without letting you finish your sentence, he entered you abruptly, his lips crashing against yours.

You released a muffled cry into the kiss – a mix of surprise, pleasure, and a touch of pain. His imposing, rigid member filled you completely, making you feel as though you were impaled by a sword.

Buried to the hilt, the Hashira immediately halted his movements upon hearing your cry, allowing you a moment to adjust to the fullness of his presence within you. You were so tight and warm around him. He trembled with restraint, his closed eyelids betraying the immense effort it took to hold back his primal urges to pound into you until you could no longer walk, your bruised walls overflowing with his seed.

"I’m sorry," he muttered, forcing his breath to come in deep and measured. "It's hard to resist you..."

"It's okay... It's what I wanted," you reassured him softly. "I've always loved your passionate side, Kyojuro. Please, keep going..."

A warm smile graced his lips, and he planted a tender kiss on yours before slowly moving his hips. He modulated his breath like he was doing during training. His hands, still firmly gripping your waist, allowed him to maintain absolute control over the rhythm of the thrusts, ensuring you couldn't intervene. He derived a certain satisfaction from this control, but he was also using it to delay his own gratification and focus entirely on your pleasure. Moreover, the restraints seemed to excite you, as evidenced by in the way your inner muscles clenched around him each time he tightened his hold on you.

Your hands grasped his muscular shoulders tightly as you moaned passionately, feeling the sensation of his hard, veined member molding your inside to his shape as he rocked himself against you. With each fervent intrusion, you felt a tension building within you, signaling the approach of a new orgasm, different from the one you had experienced during the foreplay.

Kyojuro's demeanor during your lovemaking was entrancing. He breathed heavily through parted lips, as if channeling his total concentration breathing. His skin glistened with sweat and the surrounding steam, his complexion flushed with the intensity of the moment. Barely contained moans escaped his lips with each deep thrust, and his brows were slightly furrowed in a mix of effort and pleasure. Throughout, his loving and unwavering gaze remained fixed on you, the haze in his eye reflecting the profound delight that coursed through his being. It was almost surreal to see him looking at you with such intensity, to know that you were the one eliciting these passionate reactions from him.

"Are you enjoying this, Kyojuro...?" you asked him in a sultry voice.

His expression softened, a tender smile gracing his features. He leaned over you and peppered your face with light, affectionate kisses.

"Of course!" he replied enthusiastically, his voice slightly hoarse. "I've dreamt of being with you like this for so long, and it's even better than I could have imagined."

Knowing that Kyojuro was sharing in this long awaited moment just as intensely as you were sent a rush of warmth through you. His lips traveled down to your neck, kissing you with fervor.

"I'm not sure I'll last very long for our first time, though, my love. You affect me way too much."

Feeling a hint of playfulness, you lightly scratched his back, and he responded with a growl, his kiss turning into a feral bite. You whimpered, clenching around him in both pain and relish. His grip on your buttocks tightened, and you were certain his fingers would leave marks that would linger for days if you were still human. He raised your hips, hammering the mouth of your womb at a vigorous pace, and the new angle instantly triggered your orgasm. Your nails dug into his shoulders, drawing blood, and his intoxicating scent, combined with his frenzied movements, intensified your pleasure into an almost unbearable level.

You cried out something, probably Kyojuro's name, because in response, thrusts became more intense and erratic. Moments later, he pulled you close against him, burying himself as deep inside you as possible. You felt something blissfully warm spread in your nethers. The sense of fulfillment and closeness you experienced in this final embrace was difficult to put into words.

The two of you remained wrapped tightly in each other's arms for a while. Breathing heavily in the quiet of the baths, you slowly regained your composure. The marks from Kyojuro's grip, as well as his hickeys and bites, were already beginning to fade. Some blood trickled from the scratches you had left on his back, but he focused his total concentration breathing to stop the minor bleeding. Straightening up, he looked at you tenderly.

"Are you alright, Kanoko?"

"Yes... it was perfect, thank you... Sorry for the scratches, I got a bit carried away," you told him with a hint of shyness, gently pushing a damp strand of hair away from his face.

Kyojuro chuckled softly.

"It's nothing," he assured you, leaning in to place a kiss on your forehead. "We should get out before we make more of a mess of the baths!"

Carefully withdrawing, he covered his lower half with a towel and then helped you step out of the water. With another towel, he gently wiped away the mixture of your fluids that was trickling between your thighs. The somewhat incongruous situation, so unfitting of your honorable Slayer status, made both of you laugh nervously.

After a quick cleanup, the two of you exited the onsen wearing the establishment's night yukata. Kyojuro noticed that your legs were slightly trembling, likely from the intense encounter and the overwhelming emotions. Without a word, he scooped you up in his arms, and you wrapped your arms around his neck with a small exclamation of surprise. With a swift shunpo, he carried you back to your room, where he gently laid you on the already prepared futon.

You briefly feared he might leave you alone, but instead, he turned off the light before joining you. Lying next to you on the futon, he pulled you into his embrace, placing your head on his chest. You settled against him, melting into the comforting warmth radiating from his body. It felt almost as if you had been transported back in time to the night just before he left for the Mugen Train. Almost, because you were still a demon whose days were numbered.

The euphoria of your reconciliation and first time together waned in the face of this harsh reality; your anxieties and insecurities resurfaced.

"I'm scared," you admitted suddenly.

"Scared of what?" he asked, raising his eyebrows, his gaze fixed on you.

"The last time we were this close... the last time you held me like this, I lost you. I'm afraid that a tragic event will strike again, separating us as punishment for altering fate."

"Let's not allow fear to cast a shadow over our happiness any longer, Kanoko. We fight together now. We are stronger than before, and whatever comes our way, we'll face it together. It's Kibutsuji who should tremble, not us."

His confident smile was like a beacon of hope, and you couldn't help but mirror it. His golden and ruby eye seemed to radiate warmth, almost shining in the dimness of the room. His expression was so gentle, much softer than his usual determined and stoic features. You reached out and cupped his cheek, your thumb gently tracing the corner of his left eye, forever closed by Akaza. You wanted to engrave this moment into your memory.

"So... is this for real?" you asked tentatively, your voice filled with vulnerability. "This relationship... between you and me..."

The idea that he would forsake his deeply ingrained principles to share his heart and intimacy with you, especially while you were still a demon, seemed almost inconceivable.

"Yes," he replied, placing his hand on yours and kissing your forehead. "I know it might seem sudden, but I've given it a lot of thought in the past few months. I've been constantly weighing my convictions and upbringing against the depth of my feelings for you, not to mention the complexities of our situation. Before we left Komazawa, Senjuro told me I should proceed down the path I think is right, as my heart tells me to." You recognized his last words, meant for his younger brother, and your heart ached. His thumb caressed the back of your hand soothingly. "Those words, combined with the events of our last mission, led me to a decision. I realized that I hadn't been listening to my heart enough since the day you became a demon. But one should always heed their heart; it's the source of our strength and our worth."

"Waiting until we find a cure to decide the future of our relationship was a reasonable choice, but... I'm relieved you changed your mind. As you’ve said before, we don't know when death might come, or if we'll succeed in our mission. I'd like to spend the time we have left together, if possible."

He hummed approvingly and held you tighter against him. You closed your eyes, listening to the steady beats of his heart and the controlled rhythm of his breath, trying to savor the precious moment.

After a few minutes of companionable silence, during which you felt sleep beginning to take over, you asked a question that had been on your mind:

"By the way, Kyojuro... was it your first time too?"

"Of course! Why?"

"Ha, well... it's just that you seemed to really know what you were doing," you admitted, your cheeks flushing with the memory of your steamy bath. "And considering your popularity with the ladies and the fact that we weren't close anymore..."

"Hmm! You've got it all wrong, I'm not what you'd call successful with women," he countered, a hint of pride in his voice.

You rolled your eyes, amused by his obliviousness. Firstly, there was nothing particularly boast-worthy about it, and secondly, did he genuinely not realize the magnetic effect he had on people? Nearly all the female Slayers, and a significant portion of the male ones, harbored a crush on him. In town, when he accompanied Senjuro on supply runs, it became an ordeal to maneuver through the crowd as women swarmed around him, offering various gifts (usually food) in an attempt to capture his attention. While it was true that his imposing voice and distinctive features could intimidate some, his rank, striking appearance, cheerful personality, and martial prowess were all qualities highly sought after by those seeking a potential husband.

"And anyway, I haven't felt that way about anyone else except for you, Kanoko!" Kyojuro continued after catching the skeptical look in your eyes.

"But then, earlier in the baths... how did you manage to be so confident...? You seemed skilled, like you had experience."

Despite the relief that you didn't have rivals, you were genuinely curious how he had reached this level without any apparent training. You wanted to improve your own skills in this area, not just for yourself but also to return the favor and drive him to ecstasy as he had done for you.

Kyojuro's chest swelled with pride at your compliment.

"Haha, that! I have a good master. Uzui regularly share details of how he pleases his three wives. Not that I am particularly interested in his stories, but I thought it might come in handy someday. I'm glad I didn't endure his boasting for nothing! Then, all I had to do was pay close attention to you and watch your reactions, much like I do during our training sessions! You know I’ve always been a fast learner."

Your laughter bubbled forth at his candid explanation.

"Maybe I should ask Uzui for private lessons too," you quipped with a playful smile.

It sounded different than what you meant, and Kyojuro's wide-eyed expression only confirmed it.

"Oh no, uh... not practical lessons, I mean... I just wanted to, you know, gain some insights... or... whatever. Forget I said anything."

"You don't need to improve, Kanoko, you were perfect! Even if you wanted to try something, you can practice directly with me!" your childhood friend nearly shouted in your ear, his enthusiasm and possessiveness showing.

His proposition had a martial tone to it, which made you laugh.

"I just wanted some advice, but you're right, we don't need any lessons right now. We already have a lot to explore together," you said with a warm smile.

"Hmm!" He shifted above you, propped up on his elbows. The very intimate position left little to the imagination. Completely enraptured by the intensity in his gaze, you subtly parted your legs, allowing him to settle between them. "I can fulfill any of your requests, Kanoko, whether with words or actions!"

Blushing intensely but smiling, you slid your arms around his neck.

"Hmm... it's the same for me, Kyojuro. You can ask me anything."

"Be careful what you offer!" he grinned mischievously, and you couldn't help but chuckle.

His nose playfully nuzzled against yours before he tenderly kissed you. You could feel his growing arousal pressing against your groin.

"Again?" you whispered, amused.

"Hmm! I've got plenty of stamina, as you already know," he said with a smile. "But it doesn't mean you have to keep up with me, of course."

With a light laugh, you firmly grasped his hips between your thighs and, with a sway of your body, reversed your positions. You found yourself atop him, seated comfortably on his lap. Hands on your waist, Kyojuro’s red and gold eye was fixed at you intensely, its molten lava pupil dilated. His beautiful mane cascaded over the cushion beneath him. You teasingly captured his chin between your fingers.

"I believe you’re underestimating me, Flame Hashira. I'd be willing to bet that I can outlast you in endurance."

"Is that so?" he asked with a challenging grin. "I request immediate verification of this claim!"

You responded with a defiant smile and leaned in to kiss him, still firmly holding his chin. As you felt his breath quicken slightly, you pulled away, halting the feverish kiss.

"How could I possibly turn down a Rengoku's challenge? It's a matter of honor for me as a former independent demon hunter."

*Nervous sweat* Enjoyed the chapter? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Modern Era Secret:

There's an extra (smutty) chapter for this fic actually xD (I was on the smut train while writting this chapter lmao). You can read the preview HERE to have a taste, the full version is only for my dear patrons <3 But of course... you can become one of them and get access to it and a lot of other content! Remember that becoming a member of my Patreon also opens commissions for you! But don't worry, this extra chapter is a bonus, it's not important for the plot so you can continue the story without worrying about it.

Remember that likes, reposts and comments are precious support too <3

Next chapter: "The Hashira Training"

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princessresurrection13 · 2 years ago

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God knows I tried But broken, I bow to the beast inside Covered my tracks but couldn't swallow my pride As sure as the moonlight strikes our skin I howled a wrecking ball and you were porcelain

An altered state Sometimes I even scare myself Is it too late to question fate?

And hope is fleeting Still tethered to this grim divergence of my being I can't stop the bleeding I can barely stand myself

I saw your face, but it couldn't save me I fell from grace, and I cracked your smile Don't rescue me, I can't escape it Ravenously, feed my feral mind We bend before we break

God knows I tried But broken, I bow to the beast inside Covered my tracks but couldn't swallow my pride As sure as the moonlight strikes our skin I howled a wrecking ball and you were porcelain

Porcelain Compulsions killing me Giving in And I can't go back Porcelain It's fucking killing me Giving in I can't go back

I've broken my vows to reconcile I shattered your heart, and left a crack in your smile As sure as the moonlight strikes our skin I howled a wrecking ball and you were porcelain Porcelain Porcelain

#Chris Motionless #Porcelain #This song reminds me of my Sagittarius Prince #Spotify

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hit-the-dirt-and-get-back-on · 2 years ago

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Motionless In White - Porcelain

youtube

"I've broken my vows to reconcile

I shattered your heart and left a crack in your smile

As sure as the moonlight strikes our skin

I held a wrecking ball, and you were porcelain

Porcelain."

#MIW #Motionless in White #my playlist #my music #stuck in my head #my feelings #this is me #Youtube #porcelain

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quartzs-lyrics · 2 years ago

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My Favorite Lyrics from Scoring the End of the World (Motionless in White)

"Meltdown"

"We're wrapped in chain reactions from words of mass distraction. So we explode in the snow globe while the cure is classified."

"Ignoring the warming, and now we're globally mourning, and it's too late for a warning."

"We're cutting our throats with our own knives."

"Kill or be killed, the American scream. Bottom line feeder, parasite preacher. Now your judgment day is here."

"Sign of Life"

"Am I unknown? I'm spinning out of control. I bury it 'til I choke on ashes scarring my throat."

"You fall away into the light / too far away to cut the ties where numbness and pain are synchronized. If there's a grave behind my eyes, then how do the dead find a sign of life?"

"So pull me close and twist the knife and drag me to Hell with Heaven's lies."

"Werewolf"

"I can feel you, I can hear you howling in my bones. There's an evil lurking in the dark. Ever shifting, skin is ripping as you take control. I can't tell where you end and where I start."

"A ferocious diagnosis under moonlit hands. Will the man become the monster or the monster become man?"

"I could be up all night, but I'm paralyzed when the creature comes alive. 'Cause, it's fight or fright in the full moonlight. You can run, but you can't hide. I could be honest, I could be human, I could become the silver bullet in your head. But no one can break my heart like I can."

"Bleed the neon from the bite marks ever bittersweet."

"Let the bodies hit the dance floor to this heartbreak beat."

"Seductively destructive, we are true romance. Does the man become the monster or the monster become man?"

"Can't fight these cravings in the night. A beast who's burdened by his bite. [...] Moonwalking, feed the appetite."

"And in the pale moonlight, a debt to be paid. For, one must suffer for all eternity. Nothing lasts forever, even guilty pleasures."

"You can't break my heart like I can."

"Porcelain"

"God knows I tried. But broken, I bow to the beast inside."

"As sure as the moonlight strikes our skin, I held a wrecking ball and you were porcelain."

"Is it too late to question fate?"

"Still tethered to this grim divergence of my being."

"I've broken my vows to reconcile. I shattered your heart and left a crack in your smile."

"Slaughterhouse"

"You made a deal with the Devil in a bloodbath."

"Kill 'em all, kill 'em all, no successors. Flip the script and oppress the oppressors. Finding strength as we sift through the carnage. We want our pound of flesh and we'll take it."

"You sit back as we collapse, packaged up and sold for scraps. Evade the butcher's tax, then write us off. And it's hard to stop the bleeding, hung from hooks and barely breathing, but we'll break down the wall again."

"You tell your stories of the things that you've been through, but they're as false as the teeth that you lie through. Nobody's buying, but you sell, sell, sell. In the land of the free, you're a slave to your wealth."

"You fucking fascist. Die, you fucking pig. This is the consequence of opulence."

"You sit back as we collapse, left to fight over scraps, while you auction off our backs to buy your crown."

"One mutilation under God. God in the cross, Devil in the nails. Whatcha gonna buy with all your money in Hell?"

"Cut you up, cut you up, cut you down at your knees. Watch you beg like a rat for your luxuries. Cut you up, cut you up, rip the teeth from your mouth. You won't survive in your slaughterhouse."

"Masterpiece"

"As I play roulette with a broken gun, I confess these sins with a sharp and spiteful tongue."

"So, how do I apologize and put the tears back in your eyes, when every canvas that I paint is a masterpiece made of my mistakes?"

"Outlined in guilt, my portrait stares in a gallery where the walls lie bare. As I modernize my antique ways, true colors can't escape the brush of fate."

"Cause of Death"

"Though our face is the same, your greedy hands held my happiness hostage. I will carry you to the grave. Nemesis, this time I'll finish it. Break me down, over and over. Blood for blood, I'll cut you out with the knife you cowardly left in my back."

"You shot our plot full of holes and nailed our twin casket closed. I found my life in your cause of death."

"I know that you hate me but need my protection. An awful reflection of what's taken place. Born out of trauma, and lost in the drama, I've been here the whole time to keep you safe. You can try, you know that you need me. Enemies, though we're one and the same. Killed you off in the name of survival, but I am not to blame."

"I shot our plot full of holes and nailed our twin casket closed. You found your life in my cause of death."

"A cruel invention, despite good intentions, the damage has been done. Liar, two-faced, a cruel invention. Despite good intentions, can we be forgiven?"

"Is it too late for us now? Could history be rewound? Is there no chance to make amends? And as this story unfolds, my book began where yours closed, a sign of life in your cause of death."

"No hope, no time. Can't go back, can't rewind. I still belong to you. No hope, no time. Can't go back, can't rewind. You still belong to me."

"You were my sign of life, and I was your cause of death."

"We Become the Night"

"The rich get richer, while the sick get sicker. The profits from the people feed the poor another needle. The flames get bigger while the moths all shiver. They're subsidizing evil with no budget for a sequel."

"We become the night, where hope survives. We embrace the shadow following behind. So come alive, and take back your soul while we become the night."

"They pull the trigger like a cold heart killer, but then they play the victim to manipulate the system. They synthesize reality to sell what you don't need. They drain us of our portion just to paint another portrait."

"Creatures crawling out from Hell with vengeance in our hearts. As the hourglass becomes your reaper, we've come to take what's ours."

"Burned at Both Ends II"

"I still feel you crawling under my skin. You left a certain kind of sick that I can't let go of. I'm thinking back on all the time that I've wasted. I'm afraid that it's only leading to darker places."

"The curse you left, it ends tonight, even if I have to tear out my insides. Never again will this heart be your home. I'll be happy as someone else."

"Another day spent waiting on a sign for anything to tell me I'm doing something right."

"Leaving you behind left me aimless, staring in the mirror and I feel like I'm faceless. The only thing I know is that I'd rather die than live in a world where you still control my life."

"Today, I found my open door. I set my sights on something more. I'm done reliving the pain you dealt me. I'm sick of trying to take back time. Today, I live for something more."

"At both ends, burnt once more, but now I live for something more. [...] Today, I found my own embrace. I'll never regret who I am today."

"B.F.B.T.G."

"Look into the darkness, web of crooked thoughts, lobotomized and left to rot. Feed into the promise, worship every drop, deny it when the pageant flops."

"Please take a seat and read the room, ignorance will be your doom. Contagious, hysteric rages, but it's time to let the rhetoric go up in flames. Assault with your cryptic words, uncensored ramblings to a brain-dead herd. Agenda tailored for supremacy, indoctrinated fallacy."

"If truth's what makes you shudder, research this, motherfucker."

"Cyberhex"

"There's no tomorrow, life is but an echo, scars become mementos, this is war. Extinction, ashes on your pale skin. Love becomes a symptom of the cure."

"I'd pull the sun from the sky to freeze the future of time and drift as one through the infinite."

"I found asylum inside your armageddon eyes. I'd kill to kiss your apoca-lips."

"The only way to win is to reconnect."

"When Heaven falls, I will be your light. Love will survive. In this hell, you are my paradise."

"After a thousand suns, hope has not rust. Love has found a way."

"I will not terminate, I will annihilate."

"Red, White & Boom"

"You can't come up for air when you're living on a dime. The truth is all around us if you read between the crimes. We ride the wheel of misfortune just like a carousel. We each are our own devil, and we make this world our hell."

"They say you can't forget the past if you won't give up its ghost. The difference between medicine and poison is the dose. Our carpal tunnel vision is our social suicide, so smile for the camera, aim it right between your eyes."

"Please keep your hopes and dreams inside the vehicle at all times. Free will is no longer permitted on this ride."

"It's hard to take a breath when dying to survive."

"Scoring the End of the World"

"This infantry survived a thousand suns. Silent, they still attack. We fire back with notes instead of guns."

"Trapped in hypocrisy's cacophony, all tension, no release. When it's so hard to see the harmony, it's time to end the peace."

"These aren't just notes on a page, these are the weapons of rebirth."

#motionless in white #lyrics #song lyrics #meltdown #sign of life #werewolf #porcelain #slaughterhouse #masterpiece #cause of death #we become the night #burned at both ends ii #b.f.b.t.g.: corpse nation #cyberhex #red white & boom #scoring the end of the world

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mysticdragon3md3 · 3 years ago

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I find it endlessly amusing how after 10 years, my OTPs have circled back onto the same type. lol

I realize the Blue Lions have Dedue, and Ashe used to be a commoner. But Ashe got adopted into a higher class. Meanwhile, the Golden Deer has 3 commoners who stay commoners.

And Yukimura probably had commoners serving under him, but Sengoku Basara (2009) takes a lot of time to emphasize that Masamune's commoner associates are named, get screentime, voice his effect on them, and spent time closely serving under him. Meanwhile, Yukimura's only named subordinates seem to also be lords or ninja, more than basic commoners.

When referring to "self-doubt & a phase of failing as a commander", I'm specifally referring to Sengoku Basara (2009) season 2 for Yukimura. That's pretty much most of what he does that season. And he made a critical decision error as a commander that got one of his major subordinates killed and probably also unnecessarily killed some of his other soldiers. Though I am vaguely aware that in one of the videogames, Yukimura similary spent most of the story in self-doubt, after thinking Takeda was dying, and I think he ran his army around doing actions without enough thought.

And of course, with Dimitri, I'm referring to his post-time-skip phase wherein he went full "boar" and refused to properly lead his army. Though after regaining more mental stability and becoming a proper general, he still gets haunted by self-doubts for the rest of his life.

When I spell "Strength" with a capital "S", I'm usually shortening my term "True Strength" and referring to both a mental and emotional fortitude, resilience, and frequently an iron resolve in Compassion. That's just my personal philosophy in defining "True Strength". Personally, I see 2 definitions of "strength" that both converge at Compassion, to define "True Strength". 1) In an amoral sense, strength is resilience in maintaining one's own "soul pattern"/emotions/resolve, without being swayed or influenced by outside forces to change. 2) In terms of defining strength as the ability to do what is most difficult, in my opinion, Compassion is the most difficult. Not only do acts of Compassion often cost a range of efforts from some to exorbitant, but it can also require the enacter to put themselves into a vulnerable position. So it is often something only the strong can afford, or survive, or disregard fears of being vulnerable or taken advantage of. Therefore, in my personal opinion, converging the 2 definitions into an unwavering resolve in Compassion, is my personal definition of "True Strength".

So when I categorize Date Masamune as having Strength, I mean he is unwavering in his resolve towards Compassion. Sengoku Basara 2009 takes a lot of instances to reiterate that Masamune cannot be swayed, his Resolve is unquestioning, no one can stop him, slow him, or change his mind. His catch phase is "pressing onward" (translated as "full speed ahead"). One of his first scenes is charging ahead, disregarding Katakura's warnings for caution. (Notice that in Judge End, this is framed as foolish brashness, but in Sengoku Basara 2009, Katakura smiles and continues following without worry, because he completely trusts Masamune's instincts and decision-making. Because everyone trusts Masamune 2009 to always make decisions based in the best ideals/Compassion.) This is reiterated throughout season 2, when Masamune makes allies and each of them ask him to change directions, but the most they can do is temporarily slow him down, because he doesn't stop moving forward. This Strength directed in outward Compassion towards others is almost unexpected after considering Masamune's historical backstory. One would think that someone betrayed by his mother would become disillusioned and spiteful towards the world. It's a basic supervillain backstory to be betrayed by a trusted figure, especially during fundamental development. But instead, Masamune seems to want only to protect others and bring the whole country under his command, so that the whole country of people can be under his umbrella of protection. The 2009 series only mentions his regret from one of his early battles where lots of his soldiers died, being his major motivation in protecting others, specifically his soldiers. But I've headcanon'ed a lot that can be extrapolated from his historical backstory, that when in conjunction to his actions in Sengoku Basara 2009, portrays a Masamune who has dedicated himself towards Compassion, despite his tragic backstory.

Similarly, Claude's backstory is tragic, yet he emerges with True Strength. I've heard criticisms within the fandom that Claude growing up experiencing so much bullying and discrimination against his being biracial, could not believably yield a person dedicated towards Compassion. But I think that's just brainwashing from too many supervillain tropes telling us that traumatized and mentally ill people invariably become villains. I've heard it's more realistic that people who have experienced trauma, tragedy, or some kind of pain, actually are more likely to increase their ability to empathize/sympathize with others, consequently becoming more compassionate. (Mentioned in https://youtu.be/bHe2seINnE0 at 2:03/9:09; https://youtu.be/zaZYDK1RcEU) Claude experienced descrimination and bullying; he explicitly explains in FE3H canon that he wants to create a world where no one else has to experience that same pain. I really don't see why this can be an unbelievable characterization to some people, when most of the world admires Batman for literally that same reason. And I think that characters, like Claude, who react to trauma and hardship with altruism, demonstrate a True Strength in their characters. They haven't been broken by their trauma. They not only survive, but survive as people who still want to care for others. (Also why I love Natsume Takashi.)

I was tempted to include Dimitri in the category of "Emerged from tragic backstory with Strength and vowing to make world where no one will experience same pain". But he didn't emerge with the same level of flawless Strength that Masamune and Claude did. Dimitri certainly did resolve to protect others from ever experiencing the pain that he felt, after the Tragedy of Duscur. But he was also not as mentally stable. He was so repressed and internally conflicted (concerning his feelings of vengence, or sadness that didn't know how to be expressed as anything but anger, lest he break), that he didn't integrate his "boar" impulses/emotions until much later in his post-time-skip. I didn't feel that Dimitri was a fully reconcilled version of himself, until after he had accepted his "boar" emotions, stopped repressing his unresolved anger, and learned to express them more appropriately or at more appropriate times. After he became more mentally/emotionally stable, I have no doubt that he still can have episodes of rage, anti-social moods, or crippling survivor's guilt, but I think he no longer allows those feelings/episodes to push away the people he cares about or disregard his true personal desires to be kind/protective towards others. He knows how to deal with those feelings now. But he spent a long time not yet at that stable level, until much later. Until then, he was frankly wavering, conflicting with his personal resolve, denying his own ideals, and allowing his survivor's guilt manifesting as ghosts to sway him away from his true desires/motivations/values of Compassion. Dimitri was Weak for a time. So I can't say that he was in the same category of Strength as Masamune and Claude.

Dimitri's backstory of his father's death and idolizing Rodrigue, after he took him in, is information he canonically tells the player.

But I realize that Sengoku Basara 2009 never actually mentions a backstory like this for Yukimura. I'm actually referencing the takarazuka version of Sengoku Basara. In that play, they include a childhood backstory scene, where Yukimura's father was a subordinate of Takeda and died while protecting him. Young Yukimura blamed Takeda for his father's death and went to punch him out. Because Takeda understood that Yukimura needed catharsis and was trying to reconcile with his grief, Takeda allowed himself to be punched. But he also punched back. I think maybe to encourage Yukimura to keep going? I can't remember. But eventually, Yukimura punched out all his anger and only had energy left to finally cry, and Takeda said something that comforted him. From then on, he called Takeda "Oyakata-sama" and became completely devoted to him. This explained the origin of the running gag from the 2009 anime, wherein Takeda and Yukimura engage in fist fights as a form a bonding. (It's a shame that the video of these scenes was taken off YouTube. ;_; ) I don't know if "Sengoku Basara Sanada Yukimura-den" mentions how Yukimura's father dies, since he finally appeared in that game. So I'm referencing the takarazuka version.

There isn't really mention of Masamune's mother in the 2009 Sengoku Basara anime. The closest, was Masamune's maternal uncle appearing in the movie "The Last Party" that ended that anime series. But historically, after the real life Date Masamune survived smallpox at a young age, and lost sight in his right eye, there was a lot of dissent among the other high ranking people within his clan, concerning his continued position as the Date clan's head. A lot of this dissent was lead by his mother, who insisted that Masamune's younger brother should become the new clan leader instead. Some accounts say that to shut up accusations that Masamune was weak and that his faulty eye was just an advertised weakness that enemies would take advantage of on the battlefield, Masamune either pulled out his own right eye or ordered Katakura to do it. Apparently, that shut up everyone except his mother, who still continued to try undermining his position. I don't know if there was one instance of several, but she also tried to kill him through poisoning, to replace him with his brother. Because of this, Masamune's only choice was to kill his own little brother, which forced his mother to run back to her original clan. (I can only assume that Masamune didn't just kill his mother, because it's possible she indoctrinated his brother to ursurp him. So Masamune might have ended up eventually needing to kill his brother anyway.) Lots of us in the Sengoku Basara fandom like to headcanon that all of this happened for the Basara version of Masamune too.

It's my understanding that Cornelia implicated Dimitri's stepmother in the murder of his father and friends at the Tragedy of Duscur, but that things were still left canonically vague. Personally, the fact that Patricia was always kind to Dimitri, combined with the fact that Cornelia is proven duplicitous, I find it difficult to believe that Patricia intentionally betrayed Dimitri. The way Cornelia described it, she offered Patricia a chance to be reunited with her daughter Edelgard, Patricia confirmed that desire, then the Tragedy of Duscur happened. Given that Cornelia was already doing terrible things behind Patricia's back, like experimenting on Hapi, and Patricia being angry at Cornelia when she discovered Hapi, I doubt that Cornelia would have been fully truthful with Patricia. I imagine Cornelia tricked Patricia into opening a path or lowering some defenses to "allow a clandestine meeting with Edelgard", but then Cornelia would probably use it to sneak in enemies to kill Dimitri's father and friends. That's my headcanon theory on the Tragedy of Duscur anyway. So Dimitri was only *possibly* betrayed by his mother figure.

And that's my comparison between DateSana and DimiClaude/DMCL/ClauDimi. It continuously amazes me how similar these ships are and how my shipping has come full circle. lol

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